Duhawks dazzle at Drake

Duhawk Track and Field took a trip to Des Moines this past weekend, as they participated in the Drake Relays. At a premier event for high school, college and professional athletes, the Duhawks showed up to impress with multiple individuals garnering impressive finishes throughout the weekend.

Photo courtesy of Jim Naprstek/ Loras College Athletics — Junior Taylor Dooley posts a 35.19m javelin throw in Kip Javrin Open on April 27 following the Drake Relays.

Senior Mason Tope had the highest finish of the weekend with a fifth place finish in the 10,000-meter run. His time of 30:42.11 was good enough to surpass the likes of Division I runners, staking his claim in the competition. To continue success in distance events, senior Timothy Sevcik followed up with an 18 place finish in the 5,000 meter run. Against a tough group, Sevcik paced well and had a solid finish amongst the stacked field.

In other individual events, senior Kylian Lally finished 13 in the 800 meter run, rivaling his best times while doing so. Senior Bella Solis continued the individual success with a 20th place finish in the 400m hurdles.

Photo courtesy of Jim Naprstek/ Loras College Athletics — Duhawk relay team passes the baton in the Drake Relays 4x200m competition on Saturday, April 26.

Loras College relay teams were impressive during the weekend of competition. In the 1600 meter sprint medley, the team of sophomores Tyson Morrison, Shamari Scott, Patrick Mikel, and Lally finished 16 overall. In the 4×400 meter relay, Scott and Morrison teamed up with junior Anakin Hall and Mikel to net an impressive ninth place finish – no surprise for a team used to success. Mikel and Morrison competed with senior Colby Rattenborg and sophomore Jacob Beaton to achieve a 15th place finish in the lightning-fast 4×100 meter relay.

While at the Drake Relays, one team made Loras history. The 4×200 meter relay team of Morrison, Scott, Hall, and junior Noah Smith notched a 1:28.91 finish time, good for third in school history. In a season of school records being tested by multiple athletes, this achievement is yet another mark on the board for a dominant Duhawk season.

On the distance side, the 4×800 meter relay team of Lally, sophomore Cole Conklin-Little, Jack Carroll, and sophomore Conor Otting notched a 12 place finish. A slightly different combination of Conklin-Little, Mikel, Lally, and Carroll went on to finish sixth in the Iowa college distance medley relay, posting solid numbers against state-wide competition.

On the women’s side, sophomores Terrianna Black, Gabrielle Noland, Solis, and junior Alexis Alt notched an 11th place finish in the 4×100. The team has shown continued improvement, and looks to be a tight conference contender when the conference meet comes around.

While Duhawk athletes competed at Drake Relays, others traveled to the Kip Janvrin Open hosted by Simpson College. Junior Taylor Dooley led the way for the Duhawks as she notched a first place finish in the javelin throw. Her distance of 35.19m was dominant over the other competition.

Alt, taking a quick break from competing in the Drake Relays, notched a third place finish and a personal best, with a time of 12.52. Her third place finish was accompanied by another third place finish from sophomore Elyse Acompanado, marking a length of 5.43 meters in the long jump. The threes kept coming, as the 4×400 meter relay team of seniors Rachel Kilburg, Sarah Schoel, junior Brittany McNamara, and first-year Bailey Vance finished with a 4:22.41, good for a third place finish.

The day spelled consistency for the Duhawks, as senior Hunter Dunlap and first-year Ryan Rogers finished fifth and sixth in the pole vault. It will be that exact kind of consistency that the Duhawks look forward to as they move forward.

Looking ahead, the Duhawks host the Dr. Tucker Open on May 4 right here on campus. Make sure to make your way to the Rock Bowl to support the Duhawks. After the Dr. Tucker Open comes the IIAC Championships. Look for a multitude of top three finishes from athletes we’ve been watching all season long as the Duhawks compete for the conference outdoor track title. Keep up and follow the team on social media and via Duhawks.com for in-the-moment updates.

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